I was re-reading this wonderful blue covered source of wisdom, and this little bit of inspiration hit me thanks to a few marks in pencil, possibly HB. This is not based on a John Green quote. Nor did Hazel Grace, or Augustus Waters say this. Someone so very close to my heart and soul prompted this, by showing me the simple things are so worth noticing.
For some reason I can never bring myself to write anything more than a tiny one shot for these two. It just doesn't feel right.
"Here." He said, handing me a slender volume, encased in a worn binding. "This is my favourite book at the moment."
I take it from him, and I read the title aloud. "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." I have to stop myself for a second.
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf is your favourite book?" I say, chuckling wryly, there can simply be no way that he's serious about this.
"Gus, this book is for five year olds. It teaches them not to tell tales. You must be joking?" A childlike glee fills Gus's eyes, and he limps slowly towards me. His pain is getting worse, but I suppose that is just one more side affect.
"Ah, but Hazel Grace, you have just fallen victim to blindness. It is because this book is simple, and completely devoid of complexity that it enraptures me! Take a minute to really appreciate the beauty of that. Don't look at it and assume that, just because it holds barely any intellectual value to you, that there is nothing to be studied or engaged."
He falls onto the edge of the bed heavily and I move up to make some room. "The simplicity of these few pages present such raw truth and..ugh!" He grunts as his prosthetic leg catches on the wood of the furniture. "We are so busy with the complexities of life that the grave story of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' becomes almost negligible!"
"Augustus Waters. You are either a genius, or absolutely insane."
He buries his head into my neck and laughs.
"We are all insane, Hazel Grace."
I turn and kiss the top of his head lightly.
"Okay?" I say, projecting into the space beside me.
I feel the muscles that form his smile against me shoulder.
"Alright." He laughs.
I mock punch his shoulder, and gasp. "Augustus Waters, you asshole!"
He chuckles at this, and looks up at me, grinning.
"Okay, Hazel Grace. Okay."
